Dietary supplements are as safe as any other food.
Dietary supplements are products designed to provide the human metabolism with increased amounts of specific nutrients or active substances, occupying a borderline category between pharmaceuticals and food. They supplement the general diet with particular nutrients or active ingredients. Typical components include vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, secondary plant compounds, and many more.
From our perspective, dietary supplements are concentrated forms of food. Contrary to legal interpretations, central studies show that—without supplementation—pure consumption alone no longer provides the human body with the necessary nutrients in sufficient quantities.
Legal definition
Legally, this product category is regulated under EU law by Directive 2002/46/EC. This directive specifies the permitted minerals and vitamins. Based on this, the Food Supplements Regulation defines a dietary supplement as:
- A food intended to supplement the general diet,
- A concentrate of nutrients or other substances with nutritional or physiological effects, either alone or in combination, and
- A product placed on the market in a dosed form, particularly in the form of capsules, lozenges, tablets, pills, effervescent tablets, and other similar forms, as well as sachets of powder, liquid ampoules, bottles with droppers, and similar presentations of liquids and powders intended for consumption in measured small quantities.
Since they are legally classified as food, dietary supplements in Germany fall under the regulations of the Food and Feed Code (LFGB). The permitted vitamins and minerals are listed in Annex 1 of the Food Supplements Regulation (NemV) from 2004. Other ingredients may only include food-specific raw materials permitted under the LFGB and the Novel Food Regulation.
Claims and promises regarding dietary supplements are regulated by Regulation (EC) No. 1924/2006 (Health Claims). A secure positive list for such claims is available for review at the EU level but has not yet been formally approved by the parliament. Disease-related claims and indications are not permitted, just as with other food products.
Fruits, vegetables, and other foods contain fewer nutrients than before
Things used to be different – including food.
For many years, scientists, biologists, and other renowned nutrition experts have pointed out that today’s foods contain significantly fewer nutrients than in the past. Fruits and vegetables are believed to contain up to 50% fewer vitamins and minerals on average than they did 60 years ago. The reasons for this are varied.
This makes it increasingly difficult to ensure that our diet provides us with sufficient nutrients. A medical examination can determine whether optimal nutrient intake is being achieved.
Dietary supplements can help prevent deficiencies.